Acquired ichthyosis

Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: BTRX), a pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products in the field of dermatology, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2005. Net loss for the quarter was $12.1 million, which represents a loss of $ .50 per share.

"We have seen several positive developments in the third quarter, following a challenging second quarter," commented Geert Cauwenbergh, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "On the commercial side, we are starting to see encouraging prescription numbers for Solagé®, suggesting that the efforts of our small sales force are starting to bear fruit. We've also had progress on the development side with both Vusion™, formerly known as Zimycan™, and Sebazole™. In addition, the positive results achieved with oral Rambazole™ in a Phase 2a study in moderate to severe inflammatory acne, and the encouraging biological data seen with topical Rambazole in volunteers, continue to build on our hopes for this potentially valuable asset in our pipeline."

Third Quarter Financial Results

Total revenue for the quarter was $626,000 as compared to $223,000 for the same period in 2004. Included in this total is $155,000 of net product revenue from the U.S. and Canadian sales of Solagé®, which was acquired in February 2005. Product revenues for the quarter include the first shipments of Barrier labeled product in both territories. Additional revenue represents income from a research grant from the Belgian government and revenue related to contract payments. Revenue in the third quarter of last year consisted only of revenue from the Company's research grant and revenue related to contract payments.

Total cost of product revenues (exclusive of amortization of product rights) which includes cost of finished goods and distribution expenses was $75,000 for the quarter. We did not report cost of product revenues during 2004 as we did not have product sales. Amortization expense related to the product rights for Solagé® was $88,000 for the quarter.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $7.6 million, as compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2004. Aggregate spending related to the Company's four late stage product candidates, Vusion™, Sebazole™, Hyphanox™ and Liarozole, totaled $2.9 million this quarter, as compared to approximately $4.6 million for the same period in 2004. The decline in costs was primarily related to reduced clinical activity for Sebazole and Hyphanox. During the quarter, development expenses of $2.0 million were incurred for our earlier stage clinical product candidates as compared to $843,000 in the same period of 2004. During the quarter we incurred significant manufacturing development expenses related to clinical trial materials for Azoline. Internal research and development expenses, primarily personnel and related costs, were $2.4 million during the quarter, as compared to $2.1 million in the corresponding period in 2004.

Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter were $3.9 million, consisting primarily of personnel costs, and the costs related to our contract sales organization, as well as marketing and market research expenses related to Solagé® and VANIQA®. Total sales and marketing expenses of $1.1 million were incurred during the third quarter of 2004.

General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2004. This change is a result of increases in professional fees and other public company related expenses that was more than offset by a reduction in stock compensation expense.

As a result of higher interest rates, net interest income for the third quarter of 2005 increased to $761,000 from $433,000 in the third quarter of 2004.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2005 was $12.1 million, which represents a loss of $.50 per share, as compared to a net loss of $10.2 million for the third quarter of 2004, which represented a loss per share of $.47.

At September 30, 2005, the Company had $88.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as compared to $89.1 million as of December 31, 2004.

Third Quarter 2005 and Recent Operational Highlights:

Conference Call & Webcast Information

Barrier's senior management will host a conference call today, Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. New York time, to review 2005 third quarter financial results and provide a Company update. Live audio of the conference call will be available to investors, members of the news media and the general public by dialing 1-888-889-2497 (in the United States) or 1-973-582-2710 (internationally). A playback of the call will be available by dialing 1-877-519-4471 (in the United States), or 1-973-341-3080 (internationally) and entering passcode 6574112. To access the call by live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.barriertherapeutics.com. An archived version of the webcast will also be available at the same location.

About Barrier Therapeutics, Inc.

Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products in the field of dermatology. The Company currently markets Solagé® (mequinol 2%, tretinoin 0.01%) Topical Solution in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of solar lentigines, a common condition also known as "age spots," and recently obtained the Canadian distribution rights for VANIQA® (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream 13.9% for slowing the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. Barrier has eight product candidates in various stages of clinical development. The four most advanced product candidates include Vusion™ (formerly known as Zimycan™) for the treatment of diaper dermatitis complicated by candidiasis, which is under FDA review, and three products, which are in or entering Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, onychomycosis, and congenital ichthyosis. Barrier has product candidates in earlier stages of clinical development for the treatment of acne, psoriasis and fungal infections. The Company is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey and has wholly owned subsidiaries in Geel, Belgium and Ontario, Canada. Web site: http://www.barriertherapeutics.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the ability of Barrier's sales force to be effective, the prospects and timing of regulatory action for Vusion and Sebazole, and the future potential for our product candidates, including Rambazole. Forward-looking statements provide Barrier's current expectations or forecasts of future events. Barrier's performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to Barrier's ability to execute its commercial and clinical strategy, the decisions of regulatory authorities, the results of our clinical trials and strategic decisions regarding its pipeline, general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries generally. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that may effect the forward-looking statements please see the risk factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10Q, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Barrier undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.

Contact: Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. Anne M. VanLent 609-945-1202 Noonan Russo Wendy Lau (Media) 212-845-4272 Jane Petrino (Investors) 212-845-4274